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Westlake Royal Building Products is helping strengthen the next generation of skilled trades professionals through a hands-on workforce development initiative at Huntley High School outside of Chicago.
In recognition of National Skilled Trades Day on May 6, the company partnered with the school’s trades program to support the construction of an outdoor classroom, giving students direct experience with real-world building materials, installation techniques and jobsite collaboration.
“With demand for skilled labor continuing to grow across the building and construction industry, it’s more important than ever to give students real, hands-on exposure to the trades,” said Steve Booz, vice president of marketing for Westlake Royal Building Products. “We’re proud to support the next generation by not only providing materials for this important classroom build, but by having our team on-site to share their expertise and help bring that learning to life.”
Led by trades program instructor James Allen, the May 8 project brought together 23 students to build the outdoor learning space on a donated 40-by-40-foot concrete slab. The structure is expected to serve as a long-term educational resource for future student-led construction projects and potential partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.
As part of the initiative, Westlake Royal donated several of its building product lines, including Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing, Celect Cellular Composite Siding, Versetta Stone and Grove Collection trim. The company also coordinated on-site installation training sessions with technical specialists across roofing, siding and stone applications, allowing students to gain practical experience in multiple product categories.
“This project represents years of growth for our program and a vision we’ve had from the start — to create a dedicated space for hands-on learning,” Allen said. “What began as a pipe dream has become a true collaboration with industry partners like Westlake Royal Building Products. Our students are building something that will serve future classes while gaining skills they’ll carry into careers, college and beyond.”
The initiative reflects a growing industry-wide focus on workforce development and technical education as manufacturers, fabricators and contractors continue to face skilled labor shortages across the construction and building products sectors.
For additional project highlights, visit Westlake Royal Building Products.
